Burn (2019)

Released August 23rd in the US.

Filmed in New York.

The story: Awkward and strange but considerate and kind, Melinda is a cashier at the 24-hour convenience store/gas station Paradise Pumps.

Shortly after arriving for the night shift, Melinda is informed by her fellow employee brash Sheila, that the cashier who works before her didn't restock or clean the bathrooms.

Melinda agrees to do it with no hesitation.

Actually, anything that goes on or is said to Melinda she addresses with much sensitive sympathy.

Sheila isn't supposed to still be at work, but her boyfriend who picks her up is running late, so she is still there, working with Melinda.

Melinda addresses every customer with kindness, unlike Sheila.

Even the guy who walks in and demands all the cash, holding the girls up at gunpoint gets the nice treatment from Melinda.

But something just isn't right with Melinda. 

She is looking for something.

Stars Tilda Cobham Hervey, Suki Waterhouse, Harry Shum Jr, John D Hickman, Josh Hutcherson, Wayne Pyle, Shiloh Fernandez, Keith Leonard, Angel Valle Jr, Doug Motel, James Devoti, Rob Figueroa, Joe James, Steve Garfanti, Winter Lee Holland, (voice) Malina Moye

Directed by (& story written) Mike Gan

Rated R
MYSTERY/THRILLER/DARK COMEDY

"...She is a really negative person..."

Five Nights at Freddy's (2023)

Released October 27th in the US.

Filmed entirely in Louisana.

The story: Mike is a young man, struggling to keep a job while caring for his little sister Abby.

Mike also struggles with a reoccurring nightmare of the faithful day his little brother was kidnapped...

Mike believes that if he can remember something about that day, he can finally solve the mystery of what happened.

Stressed out, Mike just lost his most recent job.

To make matters worse, the reason he was terminated isn't a very nice one.

That, among other things, is something Mike's aunt is holding against him, claiming he is unfit to take care of Abby, so she can take custody.

With nowhere else to turn,  Mike goes to a career counselor but is only offered an overnight security job with very little pay.

Mike declines the offer but knowing he will lose his house and sister, he decides to give the job a shot.

All Mike has to do is keep watch over the infamous family fun center Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, making sure no one gets in.

With Mike's sleep patterns, every night dreaming that same dream, along with some stigma that lies within Freddy Fazbear's past,  things get real pretty quick.

Stars Josh Hutcherson, Thoedus Crane, Lucas Grant, Wyatt Parker, Garrett Hines, Jessica Blackmore, Xander Mateo, Michael W Hoban, Piper Rubio,  Kat Conner Sterling, Matthew Lillard, Mary Stuart Masterson, Michael P Sullivan, David Lind, Elizabeth Lail, Joseph Poliquin, Grant Feely 

Directed by Emma Tammi

Rated PG13

MYSTERY/THRILLER/HORROR

King Cobra (2016)

Released October 21st in the US.

Filming location(s) unknown.

Based on truths.

The story: In 2004,  Sean Paul Lockhart was an ambitious, attractive young gay man.

After meeting with Stephen, the gay owner of Cobra Video, Sean became Brent Corrigan.

Stephen quickly made Brent famous in the gay pornography world, while Brent was making Stephen a pretty good chunk of change.

After some time, the two became lovers. But by 2005, Brent wanted away from Stephen and out of his contract with Cobra, believing he could make more money independently.

A battle between the two ensued, which got pretty ugly on both sides due to Stephen refusing to release Brent from his contract which would not allow him to continue using his stage name.

Almost out of the game with no place to turn for work, Brent was approached by Joseph Kerekes and Harlow Cuarda, owners of a rival online gay pornography production company who were in deep debt.

When Brent explained he didn't think he could use his stage name or get out of contract with Cobra, allowing him to work for them, Joesph and Harlow decided they would take matters into their own hands.

Stars Garrett Clayton, Christian Slater, Molly Ringwald, Rosemary Howard, James Kelley, Spencer Rocco Lofranco, James Franco, Keegan Allen, Robby Johnson, Angel Montes, Joesph Baird, Paul Michael Polsinelli, Joe James, Ron Simons, Sean Grandillo, Alicia Silverstone

Directed by (& story partly written) Justin Kelly

Not Rated

HISTORY/DRAMA/THRILLER

Satan Wants You (2023)

Released October 20th in the US.

Filmed entirely in Canada.

The story: In 1973, Michelle Smith was a 23-year-old woman who had been a long-time therapy patient of Canadian psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder.

Michelle hadn't seen her doctor in some time but when she suffered a miscarriage in 1976, Pazder was back in her life as he believed she could use some help dealing with her latest trauma.

During these more recent therapy sessions, Smith began showing signs that she was suffering from some suppressed memories from her childhood. 

Namely, those memories spoke about being subjected to satanic rituals at the hands of a satanic cult.

Under hypnosis, Smith began spilling the beans on these suppressed memories.

Throughout 14 months, Pazder recorded 600 hours of Smith's memories that she spoke of while under hypnosis.

The result became a best-selling book titled 'Michelle Remembers', authored by Smith and Pazder, which made, matter-of-fact claims of Smith being abused in various forms by a cult worshipping under the order of 'The Church of Satan' when she was 5 years old in 1954 and ending the next year.

Smith also made the claim that her very own mother was part of the cult and was the reason she had been exposed to these horrible experiences.

After Smith and Pazder went on to become rich and famous due to their book which was even backed financially by a Christian church, doubtful allegations would eventually arise about suppressed memory, satanic cults/rituals, and Michelle's claims.

'Michelle Remembers' is said to be just about completely responsible for the 'Satanic Panic' craze of the early 1980s.

It also made Pazder a sought-after official expert by police officials on the subject of satanic cults and their role in child abuse cases.

Stars Charyl Proby Austman, Jeffrey S Victor, Charles Innis, Blanche Barton, Debbie Nathan, Ken Lanning, Sarah Marshall 

Directed by (& story written) Steve J Adams & Sean Horlor

Not Rated

DOCUMENTARY/HISTORY